Winemaker Notes
Pair with roast turkey, grilled steak, salmon, and pasta with red sauce.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2021 Malbec Catena is a blend of grapes from the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza and was aged for up to eight months in varied use barrels. Purple in the glass. The nose presents notes of fresh plum, herbs and hints of violet against an oaky backdrop. Creamy on the palate with mild freshness and an expansive flow, the year has added a touch more fresh fruit at the back of the mouth. A subtle wine.
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James Suckling
Aromas of plums, dark cherries, blueberries, tar and crushed stones. It’s medium-bodied with round, velvety tannins. Dark-fruited and smooth. Sustainable. Drink now or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The juicy and young 2021 Catena Malbec has a nice combination of spice, berry and herbs to make it balanced, expressive and attractive. It's round, velvety and nicely crafted in an easy to understand and highly drinkable style and a commercial profile. A champion in drinkability.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.